Spirit of Africa - Liz Lane (chamber orchestra version)

Lane, Liz; Henderson, Jennifer

Abstract

'Spirit of Africa' was commissioned by the Cheltenham Festival and first performed by the Bournemouth Symphony Chorus, Maureen Brathwaite and BackBeat Percussion, conductor Gavin Carr, at Cheltenham Town Hall on 12 July 2012. This version for SATB choir, soprano soloist and chamber orchestra was first performed by the UWE Singers and Chamber Choir at the High Sheriff's Concert, Bristol Cathedral, 13 June 2013.

'Spirit of Africa' was originally composed as a companion piece for 'African Sanctus' by David Fanshawe, who received an honorary doctorate from the University of the West of England in 2009. With words specially written by Jennifer Henderson, it is inspired by the colours and symbolic meanings of the flags of Egypt, Sudan, Uganda and Kenya, the countries visited by David Fanshawe during his travels recording music for African Sanctus in 1969-1973. The words and music of the five movements trace a journey through the day, with the colour white for daybreak mist, green for morning freshness, red for midday heat, gold for sunset and black for night; each with its own mood and character, hopes and fears.

Reviews of the music include the following: "Spirit of Africa is beautifully written for the chorus and soprano soloist, with lovely textures and atmospheric sonorities from the ensemble of piano and percussion. This work deserves to be widely performed by choral societies up and down the country." Richard Blackford, composer and conductor "Liz Lane's Spirit of Africa is a haunting and lovely work, full of simple but effective harmonic shifts and lively rhythms - ideal for the amateur chorus looking for something brand new and approachable to present as a 'pendant' to a bigger work." Gavin Carr, Chorus Master, Bournemouth Symphony Chorus

Citation

Lane, L., & Henderson, J. Spirit of Africa - Liz Lane (chamber orchestra version)

• Other Type: Composition
• Publicly Available Date: Jun 7, 2019
• Public URL: https://uwe-repository.worktribe.com/output/931443